Teaming up to fight cancer

Relay for Life 2009
May 15
Joe Brigance Park, Starkville Road
6 p.m. to midnight
Teaming up to fight cancer
Relay for Life 2009 kicks off
By Lisa Voyles
Chickasaw Journal
HOUSTON – The annual kick-off for Relay for Life in Chickasaw County was held Feb. 23 with team members, volunteers and interested people in attendance. ACS community representative Kim Easterling, said she was pleased with the turnout and several team members agreed.
“It’s very encouraging,” said Shirley Hardin. Hardin is a long-time member of HIS team and she, along with other team members, were on hand to plan the upcoming event.
A movie theme was selected and teams are already planning for fundraising activities.
“Everybody’s different,” Easterling said. “Everyone has different ideas about how to fund raise.”
Jean Dendy is serving as co-chair of the event and encouraged teams to support each other.
“It’s all going to the same place, to fight cancer,” Dendy said. “Y’all are what makes the Relay. You are the ones out doing the work and raising the money.”
Last year’s Relay raised over $57,000 to assist the American Cancer Society in finding a cure and organizers are hoping for the same, or better, success this year.
“Times are hard, people are getting laid off and things are uncertain,” Easterling said. “But no one is immune from getting cancer.”
Several teams are already getting their events planned and will be approaching the public with more information. The Chickasaw Journal is a media partner with Relay for Life and will publish a weekly calendar of Relay events and fundraising projects.
Teams can submit information to editor@chickasawjournal.com, call 456-3771 or stop by the office at 225 East Madison.
The next Relay for Life meeting will be held March 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Houston Courthouse. All team members and interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Anyone interested in more information about the upcoming Relay may call Sarah Flake at 447-2242 or 447-1308.